Social work values and ethical dilemmas
What are values, ethics, ethical dilemmas and a code of ethics?
Values relate to principles and attitudes that provide direction to everyday living. Values also refer to beliefs or standards considered desirable by a culture, group or individual (AASW). Similar to values, but slightly different, ethics means a system of beliefs held about what constitutes moral judgement and right conduct, they are moral principles (rules, guides) (AASW). So an ethical dilemma is then when a person is faced with a choice between two equally conflicting moral principles and it is not clear cut which choice will be the right one (AASW). Finally, ‘a code of ethics’ is an explicit statement of the values,
…show more content…
Loewenberg & Dolgoff (1996, p.12) point out that learning about ethics can sometimes hinder ethical decision making behaviour because there are no easy answers and it is easy to feel ‘stuck’. As they have stated “social work students and practitioners who spend too much time reflecting about professional ethics may find themselves in the same situation as the centipede who become incapable of moving about when it tried to understand how its legs worked.”
So in teaching about values and ethics we cannot provide you with direct answers and solutions. What we can do is provide you with: • knowledge about social work values and the code of ethics; • frameworks to help clarify conflicting values and ethical dilemmas; and • encourage you to develop self awareness of your own personal values through critical reflection.
It is important to focus on each one of these as a student social worker.
Firstly, read and re-read the AASW code of ethics to become familiar with its guidelines. Read about the ethical guidelines and dilemmas that social workers commonly face. The Code of Ethics is quite upfront about them.
Secondly, authors/practitioners have provided frameworks to help clarify conflicting values and ethical dilemmas. For example: Mattison (2000, p.206) offers a framework to analyse ethical dilemmas such as: 1. Define and gather information: Once the social
The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics was established as a core value guide for Social Workers when providing services to clients or working with colleagues. The mission of a social worker is to enhance the wellbeing of people through an array of services. On a daily basis social workers are faced with making ethnical decisions and using professional judgement in lives of people. This paper will compare and contrast a social worker personal core values with the NASW core values comparing and contrasting the two. Also, this paper will also look at different vignette and ethical dilemmas that are in conflict with the NASW core values. Moreover, the paper will provide pros and cons for each professional course of actions
Social workers encounter ethical dilemmas every day during their work. Banks, in her explanations says these are occurrences whereby a social worker encounters two unwelcoming situations and there is a conflict of moral values, and there is no clear choice as to which decision to make.(Banks, 2006).To elaborate on this , Banks implies
Social work is a profession which has the objective to improve the quality of life of other individuals. The NASW code of ethics is used as a guideline for social workers and the interaction they have with their clients. In addition, within the code of ethics, there are six values, which include service, social justice, dignity and worth of a person, importance of human relationships, integrity, and competence. Therefore, going into the social work field it is important to understand that your
They understand the value in ethical and professional behavior and the impact it has on their work. Social workers must maintain the highest form of ethical practice because of their intense work in the community. Social workers use NASW Code of Ethics to help them make the most ethical decision because they often hold a lot of weight. Social workers also know how to differentiate their personal beliefs even when in difficult situations. They do not mix their values as a social worker with their values as a person and therefore do not let their beliefs affect their work. Social workers understand the importance of maintaining professional behavior because it can affect their
In this paper I will explore each of these areas in order to define my own personal practice framework, as well as looking at how the elements I have chosen fit within the social work field.
A career in Social Work requires conviction to personal values that reflect and uphold the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics. Professional ethics are the foundation of social work, as the trade has an innate obligation to endorse ethical principles and basic values to advocate for the wellness of others. The core values adopted by all social workers, as distinguished by NASW, are service, social justice, dignity and worth of the person, importance of human relationships, integrity, and competence. As a Clinical Social Worker, I will honor the NASW Code of Ethics in addition to my personal values of respect, self determination, responsibility, motivation, and wisdom. My personal values complement the NASW Code of Ethics and will resonate in my work as a social worker.
Social work is a very unique profession. The other professions that are in the same realm as social work are very specialized, however, social workers must have a broad range of knowledge in order to help their clients. This is where multiple agencies come together to make sure professionals are properly trained and knowledgeable. In the field of social work, ethics and values are the key principles that provide the basis for the mission. It is these principles that guide the decisions and actions of everyone in the profession. Without a clear set of guiding principles, social work professionals could do more harm than good. This profession sees people during highly emotional times in their lives, and that can be extremely challenging. The National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics not only sets the standards, but also guides a social worker through dealing with ethical dilemmas. As we evolve as a society, so have the guiding principles and values for the social work profession.
Values and morals are an integral part of life; values define who we are on a personal and professional level. My personal and professional values are similar but are used differently on a personal and professional level. In this code of ethics I have identified my core values as respect, honesty, loyalty, integrity, professionalism, and responsibility. Developing a code of ethics has provided me with an opportunity to reflect on my values and evaluate how I turn those values into action.
There is a great necessity for the code of ethics in social welfare. The first code of ethics was “adopted in 1960” and was a single page (NASW,1998, para. 8). The last major adoption was in 1996, which was similar to what we see today, in the 2008 edition. In this changing profession it is absolutely necessary for a social worker to have something to reference to when there is an ethical dilemma, because they will transpire from time to time (NASW, 1998).
the colour of his skin, then it could lead to him having a feeling of
A social worker needs to be alert regarding their reaction to what clients share. No reaction is needed, as we are not there to react but rather allow the client to inform us. The attention solely on the client, a reaction would reverse attention from the client to the worker. Sharing what she experienced is difficult; therefore, do not over take with a reaction. After listening, support should be given before providing advice. A social worker should ensure the client is aware that by no means did she provoke this situation. By no means did the landlord have a right to ask her for such exchanges. Addressing it was uncalled for behavior and hardship of added stress and emotions placed on top of her stressful financial situation. From here, a worker could begin to provide the advice regarding options and resources available. The first priority should address and ensure the safety of the client. The safety of the client needs exploring before a worker was to send them home to the house in which the specific landlord involved is in control of. If the client feels unsafe to return to her residence, the social worker needs to assist her in finding other options. Other options for safe shelter could include emergency shelters, family, friends, safe houses etc. In Manitoba, employment and income assistance recipients are able to access funds through the “special needs – legislative authority” (Section 21 of EIA Administrative Manual) by requesting money
Since the profession was recognized many concerns arose regarding the values and ethics of social workers. The key points of the NASW Code of Ethics, the CSWE Educational Policy and Standards, and HIPAA will be summarized. Some of the most challenging ethical issues facing social workers and the social work profession today, have been explored. The core values of the
Ethics is about choice and the values that guide us and the standards we use.
“ethical dilemmas are commonplace, complex, and require critical thinking skills that are honed through practice, and practice, and more practice. Airth-Kindree, N. M., & Kirk horn, L. C. (2016).
In today’s continuous changing world, the one thing that remains constant for most of us is our personal value system of beliefs, known as ethics. Ethics can also be referred to as morals. Therefore, ethics are those morals that reflect and indicate issues that concern behaviors that are right or wrong and the good and bad habits of individual character. This important standard of beliefs can in most cases create the difference in attitudes from others both